Blow Mold Technician III (2nd & 3rd Shift)

Blow Mold Technician III

The Blow Mold Technician III is responsible for the setup, operation, troubleshooting, repair, and optimization of blow molding equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This senior-level technician possesses advanced knowledge of blow molding processes, machine controls, PLC troubleshooting, and process optimization. The Technician III serves as a technical resource for operators and junior technicians while supporting continuous improvement initiatives to maximize equipment performance and minimize downtime.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Set up, start up, and optimize blow molding machines for production.
• Perform mold changes, tooling changes, and machine changeovers safely and efficiently while minimizing production downtime.
• Install, align, secure, and verify molds, tooling, and auxiliary equipment to ensure proper operation and product quality.
• Verify proper mold setup, cooling connections, and machine functionality prior to production startup.
• Develop, monitor, and optimize processing parameters to improve cycle times, reduce scrap, and maintain product quality.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and processing issues.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment using ladder logic, HMI interfaces, alarms, and machine diagnostics.
• Assist with PLC programming modifications under engineering or manufacturer guidance.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, hydraulic diagrams, and machine blueprints.
• Perform preventative and predictive maintenance on blow molding equipment and auxiliary systems.
• Repair and replace motors, sensors, valves, heaters, thermocouples, drives, relays, and electrical components.
• Calibrate machine settings and ensure proper process documentation is maintained.
• Monitor product quality and make process adjustments to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Troubleshoot resin flow, parison programming, temperature profiles, cooling systems, and extrusion performance.
• Support root cause analysis for downtime, quality defects, and equipment failures.
• Train and mentor operators and lower-level technicians on equipment operation, mold change procedures, troubleshooting, safety, and best practices.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production to improve equipment reliability and manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, mold change documentation, and process sheets.
• Participate in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and Kaizen initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, GMP requirements, and OSHA regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Technical degree or vocational training in Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of blow molding processing and maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience with extrusion blow molding equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of machine setup, processing, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled machinery.
• Ability to interpret PLC fault codes and diagnose machine control issues.
• Strong understanding of electrical systems (24VDC, 120VAC, 480VAC).
• Experience working with hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and technical drawings.
• Experience with preventive maintenance systems and CMMS software preferred.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently stand and walk for extended periods (up to 12-hour shifts).
• Lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds with assistance.
• Frequently bend, squat, kneel, climb ladders, and reach overhead.
• Work around moving mechanical equipment, heat, compressed air, and industrial chemicals.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including hearing protection, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, and gloves.

Work Environment:

• Manufacturing facility with exposure to heat, noise, dust, and moving machinery.
• May require overtime, weekends, holidays, and on-call support as business needs dictate.
• Fast-paced production environment requiring quick response to equipment issues.

Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• 5+ year of experience in similar role.
• Basic knowledge of electrical and mechanical repair is a plus.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Competitive Benefits:

• Medical (HMO), dental and vision insurance premium.
• 401k plan.
• Company offers vacation and sick pay
• Holiday Pay: Eight (8) paid holidays per year
• Basic Life Insurance Paid (25K policy)

We are an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to veteran status, disability, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.